Sidi Bou Said & Tunis Medina: Guided Day Tour with Pickup

Summary

Wander Sidi Bou Said’s cliffside lanes then dive into Tunis Medina

You’ll stroll Sidi Bou Said’s cliffside lanes with a local guide, sip mint tea overlooking the Mediterranean, then dive into Tunis Medina’s lively souks and historic mosques. With hotel pickup included and plenty of time for wandering or chatting over coffee, you’ll find moments here that stay with you long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the air in Sidi Bou Said to smell so much like salt and jasmine. We’d barely stepped out of the van when our guide, Amine, grinned and pointed up at the blue doors — “Every house here has its own shade,” he said. The sun was already sharp, bouncing off those white walls, but there was this breeze from the Mediterranean that made it feel lighter somehow. I tried to snap a photo of a cat lounging on a doorstep but it darted away (they’re fast here). We wandered slow, just letting ourselves get lost between the little shops and cafés. I ordered mint tea at a place hanging right over the sea — honestly, I could’ve sat there for hours if we didn’t have more to see.

The drive to Tunis Medina was quick — maybe twenty minutes? But it felt like entering another world. The streets got busier, tighter, full of voices and smells I couldn’t quite place at first (spices? leather?). Amine led us through alleys where old men nodded hello and kids zipped past with baskets. He stopped by Souk Echaouchia and showed us how they make those traditional red caps; I tried one on and my friend said I looked like an extra in an old movie. The mosque’s call to prayer echoed above everything for a minute — kind of gave me goosebumps, not sure why. We ended up in Souk El Attarine where someone handed me a tiny vial of rose perfume; it lingered on my wrist all afternoon.

There was so much color everywhere — not just in the buildings but in people’s clothes, their gestures, even how they laughed together over coffee. It’s hard to explain but walking through these places with someone who grew up nearby made everything feel less like sightseeing and more like being let in on something real. I still think about that view from Sidi Bou Said sometimes when things are too quiet at home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sidi Bou Said and Tunis Medina

• Stroll in Sidi Bou Said village
• Explore Medina of Tunis and souks

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Sidi Bou Said & Tunis tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are both included in your day trip.

How far is Sidi Bou Said from central Tunis?

It’s about 18 km or roughly a 20-minute drive between them.

Are entrance fees covered in this day trip?

All entry fees and taxes are included in your booking price.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options are wheelchair accessible throughout.

Can infants or small children join this tour?

Yes, infants can ride in prams or strollers; specialized seats are available.

What markets do we visit in Tunis Medina?

You’ll walk through Souk Echaouchia (cap makers) and Souk El Attarine (perfume market).

Will there be a local guide during the tour?

A local guide accompanies you throughout both destinations.

Are service animals allowed on this tour?

Service animals are permitted during the entire experience.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation with air conditioning, hotel pickup and drop-off, all entry fees and taxes covered, plus guidance from a local expert as you explore both Sidi Bou Said’s winding streets and the historic heart of Tunis Medina before heading back comfortably at the end.